I think I read in another thread that we went 3-3-1-3 Doc as they went two up top if we hadn’t then Douglas and Ayling would have left us exposed
Morning Mike, really pleased to had a good time meeting some of the posse. In my opinion I would have said Rotherham should have gone in at half time ahead. Not sure it helped our cause with Bielsa revealing his starting line up a day or so before kick off.
Morning Johnboy. Great to see some football being discussed on here - even though it's in one of the lower divisions.....
I think there is constructive and there is damaging and as long as it is not the latter it’s surely good? I’m totally against people slagging off players on Social Media or attacking a player via twitter, I’m fast turning against any kind of abuse at the ground too, fans on a players back can be a great burden. Discussing players like Phillips on a forum like this, a positive I’d hope. For example; anyone thinking they were not sure about Phillips I’d hope they would listen to a few of the positives posted on the forum, look at the stats, take in those that watched the game live and think okay, maybe I’m being a bit harsh. I don’t want to slate Cooper but he does scare me too... He was picked to be the captain by the players. I was incensed that TC allowed the players to pick their captain, but I’m okay now with Bielsa doing the exact same. Just as in Phillips is not the greatest Championship player, Berardi and Cooper are not the best CBs but they’re adding something to the general style and play of the team. Just maybe Pontus is having a problem adapting on the training field to the style Bielsa is searching for.
Crap game, but at least a point is a start. The Geordies were just crapper than us. At least we're above Arsenal........
Yup Turdman, but we'll take that for now. Great start for you guys though - didn't that happen last year as well?.......
Before the game, I did think we’d have a lot of the ball but not over 70% possession. We didn’t have to do a lot of pressing and chasing so I’d hope we would be quite fresh after the game. Swansea looked like they had a harder game, slightly later kick off too I believe then the travel back home? Reading reports I’d wonder if one change, Harrison for Alioski? Bit harsh to drop anyone after one not so great game but I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if Bielsa does drop him, a message to all, don’t put in a poor one or I’ll drop you.
Morning all, got to watch most of the match on stream. I think the criticism of Phillips is very harsh, all players were guilty of forcing the pass. Trying ridiculous through balls that were being picked off. He generally plays the easy ball and is the link across the mids and backs to take the play to the other flank. The major change in second half was patience. You could tell the rotherham players were becoming tired, all we did was make them work across the pith a couple of times and then move the ball forward. In the first half we failed to move them around by trying to move it forward too quickly which played into their counter attack play. Second half we changed this and moved it around to create space and draw them from their structure and created spaces. aka #Bielsaball!! Klich had one bad moment and that condemned him to the sidelines. IF we continually undermine the team with online abuse for singular mistakes then we are forever doomed to remain in the championship. Enjoy the ride guys its going to be an epic year if we play our part. Otherwise complain and see us revert to type MOT!!!!!
